Dock and power supply method thereof

Abstract

A dock and a power supply method thereof are disclosed. The power supply method of the dock includes the following steps: detecting a voltage level of a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) pin through the dock; determining whether the voltage level is a first voltage level to generate a determination result; and switching to one of a first power supply mode and a second power supply mode to provide power according to the determination result. The dock only needs to connect the display and the device to be charged through two cables to meet general usage conditions, so it can greatly reduce the need for cables and make the daily working environment cleaner and more efficient.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to docking stations, and more particularly to a docking station and its power supply method. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Generally speaking, docking stations can be used as extension devices to connect mobile devices such as laptops. With the development of technology, docking stations have more and more diverse connection ports and functions, which also increases the types of external cables they can connect to, such as power cords, video cables, data cables, network cables, mouse cables, keyboard cables, etc.

[0003] Although the docking station set on the office desk can connect the monitor, laptop, keyboard and mouse through different cables (such as USB cable, keyboard cable, mouse cable and power cord), it also makes the entire office desk quite cluttered.

[0004] Furthermore, in most daily use cases, the power consumption required by the system is relatively small, but traditional docking stations still continuously use external adapters for power supply, which not only wastes electricity but also increases the number of connecting cables, making it impossible to improve the tidiness of the working environment. Therefore, the above-mentioned problems encountered by the previous technology still need to be solved. [Summary of the Invention]

[0005] In view of the above, the present invention proposes an expansion dock and its power supply method to effectively solve the above-mentioned problems encountered by the prior art.

[0006] According to one specific embodiment of the present invention, a power supply method for a docking station is provided. In this embodiment, the power supply method includes the following steps: detecting the voltage level of a general-purpose input / output pin through the docking station; determining whether the voltage level is a first voltage level to generate a determination result; and switching to one of a first power supply mode and a second power supply mode for power supply based on the determination result.

[0007] According to one specific embodiment of the present invention, a docking station is provided. In this embodiment, the docking station includes a first switch, a second switch, a first control circuit, and a second control circuit. The second switch is electrically connected to the first switch. The first control circuit is electrically connected to the control terminal of the first switch. The second control circuit is electrically connected to the control terminal of the second switch. In a first power supply mode, the first control circuit turns off the first switch and the second control circuit turns on the second switch. In a second power supply mode, the first control circuit turns on the first switch and the second control circuit turns off the second switch.

[0008] Compared with the prior art, the docking station and its power supply method proposed in this invention can meet the working needs of the docking station and charge the laptop computer with only two universal serial bus Type-C (USBC) cables under normal use conditions. Therefore, the cable requirements can be greatly reduced, making the working environment cleaner and more efficient. Only in special cases where higher charging power is required is an external adapter needed to provide greater power.

[0009] To further understand the features and technical content of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings of the present invention. However, the drawings provided are for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit the present invention.

Implementation Method

[0010] The following describes the embodiments disclosed in this invention through specific examples and in conjunction with Figures 1 to 6. Those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of this invention from the content disclosed in this specification. However, the content disclosed below is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention.

[0011] The structures shown in the drawings of this invention are not drawn to the actual shape and size proportions. For example, the dimensions of certain components have been enlarged for ease of explanation.

[0012] Furthermore, it should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected to” another element, it may be directly coupled to or indirectly coupled to the other element, or there may be an intermediate element. As used herein, “electrical connection” may refer to physical and / or non-physical electrical connections, or it may be a wired and / or wireless electrical connection.

[0013] All terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. It will be further understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology and the present invention, and will not be interpreted as having an idealized or overly formal meaning.

[0014] Furthermore, it should be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, and / or parts, these elements, components, and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, or part from another. Therefore, the “first element,” “component,” or “part” discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, or part without departing from the teachings of this document.

[0015] According to one specific embodiment of the present invention, a power supply method for a docking station is provided. In this embodiment, the power supply method for the docking station is used to switch to different power supply modes under different usage requirements / situations to supply power to the docking station with different external power sources, and the docking station can obtain power without power interruption during the entire power switching process.

[0016] Please refer to Figure 1, which illustrates a flowchart of the power supply method for the docking station in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the power supply method for the docking station includes the following steps:

[0017] Step S10: Detect the voltage level of the general purpose input / output (GPIO) pin;

[0018] Step S12: Determine whether the voltage level detected in step S10 is a high voltage level, so as to generate a determination result;

[0019] Step S14: If the judgment result of step S12 is yes, it means that the voltage level of the GPIO pin is a high voltage level, then switch to adapter power supply mode.

[0020] Step S16: If the judgment result of step S12 is negative, it means that the voltage level of the GPIO pin is a low voltage level, then switch to the display power supply mode; and

[0021] Step S18: Calculate unused power to update the power data object (PDO) of the uplink port (UFP).

[0022] For example, a microcontroller unit (MCU) can detect the voltage level of a GPIO pin and determine whether it is a high voltage level or a low voltage level. When the MCU determines that the voltage level of the GPIO pin is a high voltage level, it means that a higher charging power is required. Therefore, the MCU will switch the docking station's power supply mode to an adapter power supply mode with a higher power output (e.g., 19.5V). In adapter power supply mode, the docking station connects to the adapter to receive power from the adapter. When the MCU determines that the voltage level of the GPIO pin is a low voltage level, it means that only normal charging power is required. Therefore, the MCU will switch the docking station's power supply mode to a display power supply mode with a lower power output (e.g., 17V). In display power supply mode, the docking station connects to the display to receive power from the display.

[0023] Referring to Figure 2, in practical applications, step S18 in Figure 1 may include the following steps:

[0024] Step S20: Read the power data objects supported by the downlink port (DFP) to calculate the maximum power (P1) that the display can provide.

[0025] Step S22: Read the power sensor to calculate the power currently used by the system (P2);

[0026] Step S24: Calculate the unused power (P3=P1-P2) based on the maximum power that the display can provide (P1) and the power currently used by the system (P2).

[0027] Step S26: Generate updated power data objects for the uplink port (UFP) based on unused power (P3); and

[0028] Step S28: Generate a power data object declaration based on the updated uplink port (UFP) power data object and the electrical characteristics of the cable.

[0029] In step S24, the maximum power that the display can provide (P1) is subtracted from the power currently used by the system (P2) to obtain the unused power (P3). Thus, in the display power supply mode, the docking station receiving power from the display can use a dynamic power charging method (such as steps S20 to S28 above) to charge the device to be charged (such as a laptop computer), but is not limited thereto.

[0030] According to one specific embodiment of the present invention, there is an expansion dock. In this embodiment, the expansion dock can switch to different power supply modes under different usage requirements / situations to power the expansion dock with different external power sources, and the expansion dock can continuously receive power without power interruption during the entire power switching process.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 3, which shows a functional block diagram of the docking station DK in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the docking station DK includes a DC jack DJK, a downstream port DFP, a system power supply SPW, a first metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOS) M1, a second MOS M2, a DC-DC converter DC, a third MOS M3, a fourth MOS M4, a first control circuit CON1 and a second control circuit CON2, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), and an upstream port UFP. The second MOS M2 is electrically connected to the first MOS M1. The system power supply SPW is electrically connected to the first MOS M1 and the second MOS M2. The DC jack DJK is used to selectively connect the adapter ADP. The downstream port DFP is used to connect to the upstream port of the display DIS (not shown in the figure). The system power supply (SPW) is connected to the device to be charged (such as a laptop) through the power management integrated circuit (PMIC). In other words, the power management integrated circuit (PMIC) is connected to the laptop through the uplink port (UFP) of the docking station (DK), and then converts the power from the system power supply (SPW) into the charging power for the laptop.

[0032] The third MOS M3 and the fourth MOS M4 are connected in series between the downstream port DFP and the DC-DC converter. The first MOS M1 is electrically connected between the DC-DC converter and the system power supply SPW. The second MOS M2 is electrically connected between the DC jack DJK and the system power supply SPW. The first control circuit CON1 is electrically connected to the control terminal of the first MOS M1. The first control circuit CON1 determines whether to turn the first MOS M1 on or off based on the first voltage transmitted to the first MOS M1 and the second voltage transmitted to the second MOS M2. The second control circuit CON2 is connected to the control terminal of the second MOS M2. The second control circuit CON2 determines whether to turn the second MOS M2 on or off based on the first voltage transmitted to the first MOS M1 and the second voltage transmitted to the second MOS M2.

[0033] Refer to Figure 4A. When the MCU determines that the voltage level of the GPIO pin is high and switches the power supply mode of the docking station DK to the first power supply mode (adapter power supply mode), the first control circuit CON1 will turn off the first MOS M1 in the adapter power supply mode, and the second control circuit CON2 will turn on the second MOS M2 in the adapter power supply mode. The power supply (19.5V) received by the adapter ADP from the DC jack DJK of the docking station DK can be transmitted to the system power supply SPW through the turned-on second MOS M2, and then used to charge the notebook computer NB through the power management integrated circuit PMIC.

[0034] Referring to Figure 4B, when the MCU determines that the voltage level of the GPIO pin is low and switches the power supply mode of the docking station DK to the second power supply mode (display power supply mode), the first control circuit CON1 will turn on the first MOS M1 in the display power supply mode, and the second control circuit CON2 will turn off the second MOS M2 in the display power supply mode. Further understanding is that the first MOS M1 and the second MOS M2 will not be turned on simultaneously, or the first MOS M1 and the second MOS M2 will not be turned off simultaneously. When the downstream port DFP of the docking station DK is connected to the upstream port (UFP) of the display DIS, the two communicate with each other to confirm that the upstream port (UFP) of the display DIS is the source and the downstream port DFP of the docking station DK is the sink. The downstream port DFP of the docking station DK receives power (20V) from the display DIS and transmits it sequentially through the conducting third MOS M3 and fourth MOS M4 to the DC-DC converter. After being converted to 17V by the DC-DC converter, it is transmitted to the system power supply SPW through the conducting first MOS M1, and then used by the power management integrated circuit PMIC to charge the notebook computer NB. It should be noted that the third MOS M3 and fourth MOS M4 can be conducted simultaneously, or the third MOS M3 and fourth MOS M4 can be turned off simultaneously. Furthermore, the aforementioned 19.5V, 20V, and 17V power supplies are only one embodiment and are not limited thereto.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 5, which illustrates a functional block diagram of the expansion dock DK in another specific embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, the expansion dock DK includes a DC jack DJK, a downstream port DFP, a system power supply SPW, a third MOS M3, a fourth MOS M4, a DC-DC converter DC, a first MOS M1, a second MOS M2, a first control circuit CON1, a second control circuit CON2, an eighth MOS M8, a multiplexer MUX, and a power delivery controller PDC.

[0036] The first control circuit CON1 includes a second Zener diode ZN2, a ninth MOS M9, and a tenth MOS M10. The second control circuit CON2 includes a comparator CMP, a first Zener diode ZN1, a fifth MOS M5, a sixth MOS M6, a seventh MOS M7, and an eleventh MOS M11.

[0037] The downstream port DFP is connected to the third MOS M3, the multiplexer MUX, and the power delivery controller PDC. The multiplexer MUX is connected to the downstream port DFP and the power delivery controller PDC. The power delivery controller PDC is connected to the downstream port DFP1, the multiplexer MUX, and the eighth MOS M8. The eighth MOS M8 is connected to the power delivery controller PDC, the third MOS M3, and the fourth MOS M4. The third MOS M3 is connected between the downstream port DFP and the fourth MOS M4. The fourth MOS M4 is connected between the third MOS M3 and the DC-DC converter DC. The DC-DC converter DC is connected between the fourth MOS M4 and the first MOS M1. The first MOS M1 is connected between the DC-DC converter DC and the system power supply SPW. The output of the second Zener diode ZN2 is connected to the ninth MOS M9. The ninth MOS M9 is connected between the second Zener diode ZN2 and the tenth MOS M10. The tenth MOS M10 is connected between the ninth MOS M9 and the first MOS M1.

[0038] The DC jack DJK is connected to the second MOS M2. The second MOS M2 is connected between the DC jack DJK and the system power supply SPW. One input terminal of the comparator CMP is connected between the DC jack DJK and the second MOS M2, and the output terminal of the comparator CMP is connected to the sixth MOS M6. The eleventh MOS M11 is connected to the fifth MOS M5. The fifth MOS M5 is connected between the eleventh MOS M11 and the sixth MOS M6. The first Zener diode ZN1, the fifth MOS M5, the sixth MOS M6, the seventh MOS M7, and the eleventh MOS M11 are connected. The sixth MOS M6 is connected between the output terminal of the comparator CMP and the seventh MOS M7. The input terminal of the first Zener diode ZN1 is connected between the DC jack DJK and the second MOS M2. The output terminal of the first Zener diode ZN1 is connected between the sixth MOS M6 and the seventh MOS M7. The seventh MOS M7 is electrically connected between the sixth MOS M6 and the second MOS M2.

[0039] In practical applications, the third MOS M3, the fourth MOS M4, the first MOS M1 and the second MOS M2 are P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors and the fifth MOS M5, the sixth MOS M6, the seventh MOS M7, the eighth MOS M8, the ninth MOS M9, the tenth MOS M10 and the eleventh MOS M11 are N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors, but this is not a limitation.

[0040] Next, the practical application of the present invention’s docking station DK will be described in detail through the following different working modes.

[0041] (1)First working mode: The downstream port DFP of the expansion dock DK is connected to the monitor while the DC jack DJK of the expansion dock DK is not connected to the adapter.

[0042] When the downstream port DFP of the docking station DK is connected to the upstream port of the monitor, the upstream port of the monitor will first provide, for example, 5V / 3A of power to the downstream port DFP of the docking station DK. At this time, the voltage VBUS_USBC2 transmitted from the downstream port DFP to the third MOS M3 is, for example, 5V.

[0043] After the power delivery controller (PDC) is working normally, the downstream port (DFP) of the docking station (DK) and the upstream port of the display communicate with each other to confirm that the upstream port of the display is the source and the downstream port (DFP) of the docking station (DK) is the sink. When the downstream port (DFP) of the docking station (DK) reads that the power data object (PDO) supported by the upstream port of the display is, for example, 20V / 5A, the downstream port (DFP) of the docking station (DK) will request the upstream port of the display to supply 20V / 5A to the downstream port (DFP) of the docking station (DK). At this time, the voltage VBUS_USBC2 transmitted by the downstream port (DFP) to the third MOS M3 will increase from the original 5V to 20V.

[0044] The power delivery controller PDC controls the eighth MOS M8, the third MOS M3 and the fourth MOS M4 to be turned on, so that the voltage VCC_PD transmitted by the fourth MOS M4 to the DC-DC converter is 20V. After being converted by the DC-DC converter, the voltage 17V_PD_USBC2 output by the DC-DC converter to the first MOS M1 and the tenth MOS M10 becomes 17V.

[0045] Since the DC jack DJK of the expansion dock DK is not connected to the adapter at this time and cannot receive power from the adapter, the voltage 19D5V_DCIN of the DC jack DJK output to the second MOS M2 is 0V.

[0046] The first Zener diode ZN1 receives a 0V voltage 19D5V_DCIN, causing the voltage DCIN_EN output from the first Zener diode ZN1 to the seventh MOS M7 to also be 0V, thus turning off the gate-source voltage (VGS) of the seventh MOS M7 to 0V. The second MOS M2 is turned off with its VGS at 0V. The second Zener diode ZN2 receives a 0V voltage 19D5V_DCIN, causing the voltage PD_USBC2_EN output from the second Zener diode ZN2 to the ninth MOS M9 to also be 0V, thus turning off the ninth MOS M9 with its VGS at 0V.

[0047] The tenth MOS M10 and the first MOS M1 are turned on by a voltage of 17V_PD_USBC2, so that the voltage PW_VCC19V5_IN output by the first MOS M1 to the system power supply SPW is 17V, which is used to charge the device to be charged (such as a laptop).

[0048] Therefore, in the first working mode, the power supply mode of the expansion dock DK is switched to the display power supply mode, and the power supply from the display is converted to 17V to the system power supply SPW of the expansion dock DK.

[0049] (2)Second working mode: The DC jack DJK of the expansion dock DK is connected to the adapter and the downstream port DFP of the expansion dock DK is connected to the display.

[0050] When the DC jack DJK of the expansion dock DK is connected to the adapter and receives power from the adapter, the voltage 19D5V_DCIN output by the DC jack DJK to the second MOS M2 is 19.5V. The second Zener diode ZN2 receives the 19.5V voltage 19D5V_DCIN, making the voltage PD_USBC2_EN output by the second Zener diode ZN2 to the ninth MOS M9 5.6V, thus turning on the ninth MOS M9 with a VGS of 5.6V. The tenth MOS M10 and the first MOS M1 are turned off with a VGS of 0V.

[0051] The first Zener diode ZN1 receives a voltage of 19.5V 19D5V_DCIN, causing the voltage DCIN_EN output from the first Zener diode ZN1 to the seventh MOS M7 to be 3V, thus making the VGS of the seventh MOS M7 3V and turning it on. The second MOS M2's VGS is -11V and it turns on, causing the voltage PW_VCC19V5_IN output from the second MOS M2 to the system power supply SPW to be 19.5V. At this time, the system power supply SPW of the expansion dock DK is supplied by the adapter at 19.5V.

[0052] When the downstream port DFP of the expansion dock DK is connected to the monitor, since the voltage 19D5V_DCIN output by the DC jack DJK remains constant at 19.5V, the voltage VOUT_LMV7239 output by the comparator CMP based on the comparison result of voltage 19D5V_DCIN and reference voltage 3D3V also remains constant at 0V, causing the VGS of the sixth MOS M6 to be 0V and thus turned off. The tenth MOS M10 and the first MOS M1 remain off. The second MOS M2 remains on, causing the voltage PW_VCC19V5_IN output by the second MOS M2 to the system power supply SPW to remain constant at 19.5V. At this time, the system power supply SPW of the expansion dock DK is still maintained at 19.5V powered by the adapter.

[0053] Therefore, in the second working mode, the power supply mode of the docking station DK is switched to the adapter power supply mode and the adapter supplies 19.5V to the system power supply SPW of the docking station DK.

[0054] (3)Third working mode: First connect the downstream port DFP of the expansion dock DK to the monitor, and then connect the DC jack DJK of the expansion dock DK to the adapter.

[0055] When the downstream port DFP of the expansion dock DK is connected to the upstream port of the monitor, the DC jack DJK of the expansion dock DK is not yet connected to the adapter. At this time, the power supply mode of the expansion dock DK is switched to the monitor power supply mode and the monitor power supply is converted to 17V to the system power supply SPW of the expansion dock DK.

[0056] When the DC jack DJK of the expansion dock DK is connected to the adapter and receives power from the adapter, the voltage 19D5V_DCIN output by the DC jack DJK is 19.5V. The comparator CMP outputs a voltage VOUT_LMV7239 of 0V based on the comparison result of voltage 19D5V_DCIN and reference voltage 3D3V, causing the VGS of the sixth MOS M6 to be 0V and thus turned off. The voltage PD_USBC2_EN output by the second Zener diode ZN2 to MOS M9 is 5.6V, causing the VGS of the ninth MOS M9 to be 5.6V and thus turned on. The VGS of the tenth MOS M10 and the first MOS M1 are 0V and thus turned off.

[0057] The voltage DCIN_EN output from the first Zener diode ZN1 to the seventh MOS M7 is 3V, causing the VGS of the seventh MOS M7 to be 3V and thus turn on. The VGS of the second MOS M2 is -11V, causing it to turn on, resulting in the voltage PW_VCC19V5_IN output from the second MOS M2 to the system power supply SPW being 19.5V. At this time, the power supply mode of the expansion dock DK switches to adapter power supply mode, and the adapter supplies 19.5V to the system power supply SPW of the expansion dock DK.

[0058] Therefore, in the third operating mode, the power supply mode of the docking station DK will first switch to the monitor power supply mode, and the monitor power supply will be converted to 17V to the system power supply SPW of the docking station DK; when the DC jack DJK of the docking station DK is connected to the adapter, the power supply mode of the docking station DK will switch to the adapter power supply mode, and the adapter will supply 19.5V to the system power supply SPW of the docking station DK. In this way, it can be ensured that the system power supply SPW of the docking station DK can receive power without interruption throughout the entire power switching process.

[0059] (4)Fourth working mode: First connect the DC jack DJK of the expansion dock DK to the adapter, then connect the downstream port DFP of the expansion dock DK to the monitor, and finally remove the adapter.

[0060] When the DC jack DJK of the expansion dock DK is connected to the adapter, and the downstream port DFP of the expansion dock DK is connected to the monitor, the power supply mode of the expansion dock DK is switched to the adapter power supply mode, and the adapter supplies 19.5V to the system power supply SPW of the expansion dock DK.

[0061] Next, when the adapter is removed, the DC jack DJK of the expansion dock DK is no longer connected to the adapter, causing the voltage 19D5V_DCIN output by the DC jack DJK to drop from 19.5V. When the voltage 19D5V_DCIN drops to 17V, the voltage VOUT_LMV7239 output by the comparator CMP based on the comparison result of the voltage 19D5V_DCIN and the reference voltage 3D3V changes from 0V to 3.3V, causing the VGS of the sixth MOS M6 to be 3.3V and thus turn on. The voltage DCIN_EN output by the first Zener diode ZN1 to the seventh MOS M7 is 0V, causing the VGS of the seventh MOS M7 to be 0V and thus turn off. The VGS of the second MOS M2 is 0V and thus turn off.

[0062] When the voltage 19D5V_DCIN continuously drops to 5.6V, the voltage PD_USBC2_EN output by the second Zener diode ZN2 to the ninth MOS M9 becomes 0V, causing the VGS of the ninth MOS M9 to become 0V and turn off. The tenth MOS M10 and the first MOS M1 are turned on by the 17V voltage 17V_PD_USBC2 output by the DC-DC converter, making the voltage PW_VCC19V5_IN output by the first MOS M1 to the system power supply SPW 17V, thereby charging the laptop through the power management integrated circuit PMIC. At this time, the power supply mode of the docking station DK switches to the display power supply mode, and the display power supply is converted to 17V to the system power supply SPW of the docking station DK.

[0063] Therefore, in the fourth operating mode, the power supply mode of the docking station DK will first switch to adapter power supply mode, and the adapter will supply 19.5V to the system power supply SPW of the docking station DK; when the adapter is removed, the DC jack DJK of the docking station DK will no longer be connected to the adapter, and the power supply mode of the docking station DK will switch to monitor power supply mode, and the monitor will supply 17V to the system power supply SPW of the docking station DK. In this way, it can be ensured that the system power supply SPW of the docking station DK can receive power without interruption during the entire power switching process.

[0064] According to the first to fourth operating modes of the expansion dock DK, when the DC jack DJK of the expansion dock DK is not connected to the adapter, the power supply mode of the expansion dock DK can be switched to the monitor power supply mode, and the monitor power supply is converted to 17V to the system power supply SPW of the expansion dock DK. Once the DC jack DJK of the expansion dock DK is connected to the adapter, the power supply mode of the expansion dock DK immediately switches to the adapter power supply mode, and the adapter supplies 19.5V to the system power supply SPW of the expansion dock DK. Throughout the power switching process, the system power supply SPW of the expansion dock DK can receive power without interruption, thereby ensuring that the system power supply SPW of the expansion dock DK can continuously charge the laptop without interruption.

[0065] In summary, under most usage scenarios, as shown in Figure 6, the DK docking station proposed in this invention only needs to connect the display DIS and the notebook computer NB via two USB-C cables UC1 and UC2 respectively to meet the working needs of the DK docking station and charge the notebook computer. Therefore, it can significantly reduce the need for cables, making the daily working environment cleaner and more efficient. Only in special cases where higher charging power is required will the DK docking station need to be connected to an additional adapter to provide greater power.

[0066] The above-disclosed content is only a preferred and feasible embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the patent application of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings fall within the scope of the patent application of the present invention. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0067] Figure 1 illustrates a flowchart of a power supply method for a docking station according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] Figure 2 illustrates a flowchart of steps S18 in Figure 1, which also includes steps S20 to S28.

[0069] Figure 3 illustrates a functional block diagram of a docking station in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Figure 4A illustrates a schematic diagram of the docking station receiving power from the adapter to charge the notebook computer in adapter power mode.

[0071] Figure 4B illustrates a schematic diagram of the docking station's system power supply receiving power from the monitor to charge the notebook computer in monitor power supply mode.

[0072] Figure 5 illustrates a functional block diagram of the expansion dock in another specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] Figure 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the present invention, showing that the docking station only needs two USB-C cables to connect to the monitor and the laptop respectively to meet general work needs.

Claims

1. A power supply method for a docking station, comprising: The docking station detects a voltage level on a general purpose input / output pin. Determine whether the voltage level is a first voltage level to generate a determination result; And based on the judgment result, switch to one of a first power supply mode and a second power supply mode for power supply, wherein the first power supply mode is the adapter power supply mode and the second power supply mode is the display power supply mode.

2. The power supply method as described in request item 1 also includes: In response to the voltage level being the first voltage level, power is supplied in the adapter power supply mode.

3. The power supply method as described in request item 2 also includes: In this adapter power supply mode, the docking station is electrically connected to an adapter to receive power from the adapter.

4. The power supply method as described in Request 1 also includes: In response to the voltage level being a second voltage level, power is supplied in the display power supply mode.

5. The power supply method as described in request item 4 also includes: In the display power supply mode, the docking station is electrically connected to a display to receive power from the display.

6. The power supply method as described in request item 1 also includes: Calculate unused power to update a power data object for an uplink port.

7. The power supply method as described in request item 6 also includes: Read the line port to calculate the maximum power a display can provide; Read the power currently used by the system; calculate the unused power based on the maximum power available from the display and the power currently used by the system; and generate an updated uplink port power data object based on the unused power.

8. The power supply method as described in request item 7 also includes: A power data object declaration is generated based on the updated uplink port power data object and the electrical characteristics of the wire.

9. A docking station, comprising: The first switch; A second switch is electrically connected to the first switch; A first control circuit is electrically connected to the control terminal of the first switch; And a second control circuit electrically connected to the control terminal of the second switch; wherein, in a first power supply mode, the first control circuit turns off the first switch and the second control circuit turns on the second switch; in a second power supply mode, the first control circuit turns on the first switch and the second control circuit turns off the second switch, wherein the first power supply mode is an adapter power supply mode and the second power supply mode is a display power supply mode.

10. The docking station as claimed in claim 9, wherein in the adapter power supply mode, the DC jack is electrically connected to an adapter to receive power from the adapter and transmit it to a system power supply through the activated second switch.

11. The docking station, as described in request item 9, also includes: A system power supply is electrically connected to the first switch and the second switch; A DC jack, electrically connected to the second switch, for selective electrical connection to an adapter; a downstream port, for electrical connection to a display; a third switch, electrically connected to the downstream port; and a fourth switch, electrically connected to the third switch. And a DC-DC converter, electrically connected between the first switch and the fourth switch, wherein, in the display power supply mode, the downlink port is electrically connected to an uplink port of the display to receive the power supply of the display and transmit it to the system power supply in sequence through the conducting third switch, the fourth switch, the DC-DC converter and the first switch.

12. The docking station as requested in item 11, wherein the downlink port and the uplink port communicate with each other to confirm that the uplink port is the source and the downlink port is the receiver.

13. The docking station as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first control circuit determines whether to turn the first switch on or off based on a first voltage transmitted to the first switch and a second voltage transmitted to the second switch.

14. The docking station as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second control circuit determines whether to turn the second switch on or off based on a first voltage transmitted to the first switch and a second voltage transmitted to the second switch.

15. The docking station as requested in claim 11, wherein in response to the downstream port being electrically connected to the display and the DC jack not being electrically connected to the adapter, the system power supply is provided in the display power supply mode.

16. The docking station as claimed in claim 11, wherein in response to the DC jack being electrically connected to the adapter and the downstream port being electrically connected to the display, the system power supply is provided in adapter-powered mode.

17. The docking station as requested in claim 11, wherein in response to the downstream port being electrically connected to the display, the system power supply first supplies power in the display power supply mode, and then in response to the DC jack being electrically connected to the adapter, the system power supply switches to supply power in the adapter power supply mode.

18. The docking station as claimed in claim 11, wherein in response to the DC jack being electrically connected to the adapter and the downstream port being electrically connected to the display, the system power supply is initially powered in the adapter-powered mode, and then in response to the adapter being removed, the system power supply switches to the display-powered mode.

19. The docking station as requested in item 11, wherein the first switch and the second switch are not simultaneously turned on or off.

20. The docking station as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first switch, the second switch, the third switch and the fourth switch are all metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors.

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