Electronic device using USB type-c port and charging method thereof

Abstract

An electronic device using an USB Type-C port and a charging method thereof are provided. The electronic device has a first C-type general-purpose serial bus port and a second C-type general-purpose serial bus port. In response to the first C-type general-purpose serial bus port entering an over-voltage protection mode or an over-current protection mode, a control circuit controls a power delivery controller circuit to change a power delivery protocol to reduce a maximum current limited by the power delivery protocol.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to a charging method for an electronic device using a Type C Universal Sequence Bus port. Prior Technology

[0002] Nowadays, not only chargers, but also peripherals such as external monitors and charging docks can easily meet the charging needs of various devices through USB Type-C connectors that support USB Power Delivery (USB PD). Therefore, using an external monitor as a charging station has become a basic requirement.

[0003] However, with the recent improvement in the charging capabilities of external monitors, the power supplied by these monitors sometimes triggers the overcurrent protection (OCP) or overvoltage protection (OVP) mechanisms of the electronic device being charged (such as a laptop), preventing it from charging properly. For example, if an electronic device has two Type-C ports, and one of them has triggered its overcurrent or overvoltage protection mechanism, the other Type-C port will also lose its charging function. This means that even if a charger is plugged into the other Type-C port, the device will not be able to charge; the external monitor must be removed from the Type-C port before the charger can be detected again. This significantly reduces the ease of use of the electronic device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides an electronic device using a Type C universal sequence bus port and a method for troubleshooting its malfunctions, which can effectively improve the ease of use of electronic devices using Type C universal sequence bus ports.

[0005] The electronic device utilizing a Type-C universal sequence bus of the present invention includes a first Type-C universal sequence bus, a second Type-C universal sequence bus, a charging circuit, a control circuit, and a power transfer controller circuit. The charging circuit is coupled to both the first and second Type-C universal sequence bus ports and receives input power from the first Type-C universal sequence bus port. The control circuit is coupled to the charging circuit. The power transfer controller circuit is coupled to the control circuit, the first Type-C universal sequence bus port, and the second Type-C universal sequence bus port. In response to the first Type-C universal sequence bus port entering overvoltage protection mode or overcurrent protection mode, the control circuit controls the power transfer controller circuit to change the power transfer protocol to reduce the maximum current limited by the power transfer protocol.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device further includes a battery and a main system circuit. The battery is coupled to a charging circuit, which charges the battery. The main system circuit is coupled to the battery, the charging circuit, a first Type-C universal bus port, and a second Type-C universal bus port, and receives at least one of an input power supply and a battery voltage provided by the battery. The charging circuit detects the load current and output voltage provided by the input power supply to the main system circuit. The control circuit controls the power transfer controller circuit to change the power transfer protocol based on the load current and the output voltage provided by the input power supply at a preset current, so as to adjust the maximum current limited by the power transfer protocol.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the output voltage is less than the preset voltage when the load current is at a preset current, the control circuit controls the power transmission controller circuit to reduce the maximum current limited by the power transmission protocol.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the voltage or current of the input power supply is equal to 0, the charging circuit determines that the first C-type general sequence bus port has entered the overvoltage protection mode or the overcurrent protection mode, and notifies the control circuit that the first C-type general sequence bus port has entered the overvoltage protection mode or the overcurrent protection mode.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the power delivery controller circuit described above communicates with the device connected to the second Type C universal sequence bus port according to the modified power delivery protocol.

[0010] This invention also provides a charging method for an electronic device using a Type-C universal sequence bus. The electronic device includes a first Type-C universal sequence bus, a second Type-C universal sequence bus, and a power transfer controller circuit. The power transfer controller circuit is coupled to the first Type-C universal sequence bus and the second Type-C universal sequence bus. The charging method includes the following steps: receiving input power from the first Type-C universal sequence bus; responding to the first Type-C universal sequence bus entering an overvoltage protection mode or an overcurrent protection mode, controlling the power transfer controller circuit to change the power transfer protocol to reduce the maximum current limited by the power transfer protocol.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device further includes a main system circuit coupled to a first Type-C universal sequence bus port and a second Type-C universal sequence bus port, and the main system circuit receives an input power supply. The charging method includes controlling a power transfer controller circuit to change the power transfer protocol based on the load current supplied to the main system circuit at a preset current, thereby adjusting the maximum current defined by the power transfer protocol.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned charging method includes, when the load current is at a preset current, the output voltage provided by the input power supply is less than a preset voltage, and controlling the power transmission controller circuit to reduce the maximum current limited by the power transmission protocol.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the charging method includes determining that the first C-type general sequence bus port enters overvoltage protection mode or overcurrent protection mode when the voltage or current of the input power supply is equal to 0.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the power delivery controller circuit described above communicates with the device connected to the second Type C universal sequence bus port according to the modified power delivery protocol.

[0015] Based on the above, the electronic device of this embodiment of the invention has a first Type-C universal serial bus port and a second Type-C universal serial bus port. When the first Type-C universal serial bus port enters an overvoltage protection mode or an overcurrent protection mode, the control circuit can control the power transfer controller circuit to change the power transfer protocol to reduce the maximum current limited by the power transfer protocol. Thus, without removing the device connected to the first Type-C universal serial bus port, the second Type-C universal serial bus port can regain its ability to detect the charging device inserted into it again, and receive charging power from the charging device, effectively improving the ease of use of electronic devices using Type-C universal serial bus ports. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device using a C-type universal serial bus port according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2 and 3 are flowcharts of a charging method for an electronic device using a Type C universal sequence bus port according to an embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device using a Type C Universal Sequence Bus (USB) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 100 may be, for example, a notebook computer or a mainframe computer, but is not limited thereto. The electronic device 100 includes a USB 102, a charging circuit 104, a control circuit 106, a power delivery controller circuit 108, a main system circuit 110, and a battery 112. The USB 102 is coupled to the control circuit 106 and the main system circuit 110. The USB 102 may include, for example, two USB ports, such as a first USB port P1 and a second USB port P2, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the USB 102 may include more than one USB port. The charging circuit 104 is coupled to the main system circuit 110 and the battery 112, and the main system circuit 110 is coupled to the battery 112. The control circuit 106 is coupled to the charging circuit 104 and the power delivery controller circuit 108. The control circuit 106 may be, for example, an embedded controller, which is coupled to the charging circuit 104 via a System Management Bus (SMBus) and to the power delivery controller circuit 108 via an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) interface.

[0018] The first Type-C universal serial bus port P1 and the second Type-C universal serial bus port P2 can be connected to external devices for data transmission or receiving charging power. These external devices can be, for example, a display or a charger, but are not limited thereto. For instance, the first Type-C universal serial bus port P1 can be connected to the Type-C universal serial bus port of a display to transmit display data to the display for image display. If the display's Type-C universal serial bus port has a charging function, the electronic device 100 can receive charging power from the display. The charging circuit 104 can charge the battery 112 based on the input power provided by the first Type-C universal serial bus port P1 (i.e., the charging power provided by the display). The battery 112 can then supply power to the main system circuit 110. If the input power voltage is too high or the current is too large, the first Type-C universal serial bus port P1 will enter an overvoltage protection mode or an overcurrent protection mode, causing the first Type-C universal serial bus port P1 to stop providing input power.

[0019] The charging circuit 104 can detect the voltage or current of the input power supplied by the first Type-C universal sequence bus P1 to determine whether the first Type-C universal sequence bus P1 has entered voltage protection mode or overcurrent protection mode. For example, if the voltage or current of the input power is detected to be 0, it can be determined that the first Type-C universal sequence bus P1 has entered voltage protection mode or overcurrent protection mode. In response to the first Type-C universal sequence bus P1 entering voltage protection mode or overcurrent protection mode, the charging circuit 104 can notify the control circuit 106 that the first Type-C universal sequence bus P1 has entered voltage protection mode or overcurrent protection mode. The control circuit 106 can then control the power transfer controller circuit 108 to change the power transfer protocol to reduce the maximum current limited by the power transfer protocol.

[0020] For example, the power delivery controller circuit 108 can store multiple power delivery protocols, such as a power delivery protocol limiting the maximum current to 4.25A and a power delivery protocol limiting the maximum current to 2A, but is not limited thereto. Assuming that the first Type-C universal sequence bus P1 and the second Type-C universal sequence bus P2 are power delivery protocols limiting the maximum current to 4.25A, when the first Type-C universal sequence bus P1 enters a voltage protection mode or an overcurrent protection mode, the power delivery controller circuit 108 can change the power delivery protocol limiting the maximum current to 4.25A to a power delivery protocol limiting the maximum current to 2A, and communicate with the charging device (such as a charger, but not limited thereto) inserted into the second Type-C universal sequence bus P2 according to the changed power delivery protocol, so as to prevent the charging device inserted into the second Type-C universal sequence bus P2 from providing charging power to the electronic device 100 that exceeds the overvoltage protection threshold or the overcurrent protection threshold. By changing the power delivery protocol, the second Universal Serial Bus P2 can regain its ability to detect charging devices plugged into the second Universal Serial Bus P2 and receive input power without removing the devices connected to the first Universal Serial Bus. This effectively improves the ease of use of electronic devices using Universal Serial Buses and prevents the second Universal Serial Bus P2 from entering voltage protection mode or overcurrent protection mode, greatly improving the ease of use of the electronic device 100.

[0021] In some embodiments, the electronic device 100 may adopt a non-narrow voltage direct current (Non-NVDC) architecture (as shown in the embodiment of FIG1), that is, the input power provided by the Type C universal bus (e.g., the first Type C universal bus P1) is directly transmitted to the main system circuit 110, thus making it easier to trigger voltage protection mechanisms or overcurrent protection mechanisms. To further avoid triggering voltage protection mechanisms or overcurrent protection mechanisms, the charging circuit 104 may detect the output voltage V1 of the detection point D1 on the power transmission path between the first Type C universal bus P1 and the main system circuit 110 or the load current I1 provided by the input power to the main system circuit, and control the power transmission controller circuit 108 to change the power transmission protocol according to the output voltage V1 of the load current I1 at a preset current, wherein the detection point D1 is located on the side of the main system circuit 110 on the power transmission path between the first Type C universal bus P1 and the main system circuit 110.

[0022] For example, the preset current may be 2A, but it is not a limitation. The charging circuit 104 can determine whether the output voltage V1 is less than the preset voltage (e.g., 18.6V, but not a limitation) when the load current I1 is 2A. If the output voltage V1 is less than the preset voltage when the load current I1 is 2A, the charging circuit 104 can notify the control circuit 106 to adjust the power transfer protocol. For example, the control circuit 106 can control the power transfer controller circuit 108 to change the power transfer protocol that limits the maximum current to 4.25A to a power transfer protocol that limits the maximum current to 2A, so as to further prevent the load current I1 from exceeding 3A, thereby triggering the voltage protection mechanism or the overcurrent protection mechanism.

[0023] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a charging method for an electronic device using a Type-C Universal Sequence Bus (USB) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device includes a first USB, a second USB, and a power transfer controller circuit, which is coupled to the first USB and the second USB. As can be seen from the above embodiment, the charging method for the electronic device using a USB may include at least the following steps: First, receiving input power from the first USB (step S202). Next, responding to the first USB entering an overvoltage protection mode or an overcurrent protection mode, controlling the power transfer controller circuit to change the power transfer protocol to reduce the maximum current limited by the power transfer protocol (step S204). The method for determining whether the first USB has entered an overvoltage protection mode or an overcurrent protection mode can be, for example, determining whether the voltage or current of the input power is equal to 0; when the voltage or current of the input power is equal to 0, determining that the first USB has entered an overvoltage protection mode or an overcurrent protection mode. By reducing the maximum current limited by the power transfer protocol, the power transfer controller circuit can communicate with the device connected to the second Universal Series C bus port according to the modified power transfer protocol. This enables the second Universal Series C bus port to regain its ability to detect charging devices plugged into the second Universal Series C bus port and receive input power, effectively improving the ease of use of electronic devices using the Universal Series C bus port. It also prevents the second Universal Series C bus port from entering voltage protection mode or overcurrent protection mode, greatly improving the ease of use of electronic devices.

[0024] Furthermore, when the electronic device adopts a non-narrow voltage DC architecture, the charging method of the electronic device using a Type-C universal sequence bus can be as shown in Figure 3, where the electronic device also includes a main system circuit coupled to a first Type-C universal sequence bus and a second Type-C universal sequence bus. First, it is determined whether the output voltage provided by the input power supply from the first Type-C universal sequence bus to the main system circuit meets the current reduction condition (step S302) when the load current is equal to the preset current (e.g., 2A, but not limited thereto). For example, if the output voltage provided by the input power supply is less than the preset voltage (e.g., 18.6V, but not limited thereto) when the load current is equal to the preset current, it can be determined that the current reduction condition is met. Conversely, if the output voltage provided by the input power supply is not less than the preset voltage when the load current is at the preset current, it can be determined that the current reduction condition is not met.

[0025] If the current reduction condition is met, for example, the output voltage V1 is less than 18.6V when the load current is 2A, the power transfer controller circuit can be notified to change the power transfer protocol (step S304). The power transfer controller circuit can change the power transfer protocol (step S306), for example, changing the power transfer protocol that limits the maximum current to 4.25A to a power transfer protocol that limits the maximum current to 2A, and communicate the power transfer protocol with the devices connected to the Type-C Universal Sequence Bus (the first Type-C Universal Sequence Bus and the second Type-C Universal Sequence Bus) according to the changed power transfer protocol (step S308), so as to avoid the load current from exceeding 3A, thereby triggering the voltage protection mechanism or the overcurrent protection mechanism. In some embodiments, the power transfer protocol can also be adjusted according to the output voltage provided by the input power supply when the load current is at a preset current, and when other charging devices with higher wattage are connected to the unused Type-C Sequence Bus (such as the second Type-C Universal Sequence Bus), charging is performed at a higher wattage.

[0026] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S302 that the current reduction condition is not met, it means that the battery of the electronic device can be charged normally. At this time, the load current or output voltage supplied by the input power supply to the electronic device can be continuously monitored. For example, it can be detected whether the output voltage supplied by the input power supply to the electronic device is 0 (step S310). When the output voltage is detected to be 0 (step S312), it means that the first C-type universal sequence bus port has entered the overvoltage protection mode or overcurrent protection mode. Step S304 can be entered to notify the power transfer controller circuit to change the power transfer protocol to reduce the maximum current limited by the power transfer protocol.

[0027] In summary, the electronic device of this invention has a first Type-C universal serial bus port and a second Type-C universal serial bus port. When the first Type-C universal serial bus port enters an overvoltage protection mode or an overcurrent protection mode, the control circuit can control the power transfer controller circuit to change the power transfer protocol to reduce the maximum current limited by the power transfer protocol. This allows the second Type-C universal serial bus port to regain its ability to detect a charging device inserted into it without removing the device connected to the first Type-C universal serial bus port, thus receiving charging power from the charging device and effectively improving the ease of use of the electronic device using the Type-C universal serial bus port. In some embodiments, the control circuit can control the power transfer controller circuit to change the power transfer protocol based on the load current at a preset current input power supply output voltage to reduce the maximum current limit, further avoiding triggering the voltage protection mechanism or overcurrent protection mechanism.

[0028] 100: Electronic devices 102: Type C Universal Sequence Bus Port 104: Charging circuit 106: Control Circuit 108: Power Transfer Controller Circuit 110: Main system circuit 112: Battery P1: Type C Universal Sequence Bus Dock P2: Type C General Sequence Bus Dock D1: Detection Point V1: Output voltage I1: Load current S202~S204, S302~S312: Charging method steps for electronic devices

Claims

1. An electronic device using a Type C Universal Sequence Bus port, comprising: Type 1 C Universal Sequence Bus Port; Type 2C Universal Sequence Bus Port; A charging circuit coupled to the first Type-C universal sequence bus port and the second Type-C universal sequence bus port, receiving an input power from the first Type-C universal sequence bus port; a control circuit coupled to the charging circuit; and a power transfer controller circuit coupled to the control circuit, the first Type-C universal sequence bus port, and the second Type-C universal sequence bus port, wherein in response to the first Type-C universal sequence bus port entering an overvoltage protection mode or an overcurrent protection mode, the control circuit controls the power transfer controller circuit to change a power transfer protocol to reduce the maximum current limited by the power transfer protocol.

2. The electronic device using a Type C Universal Sequence Bus port as described in claim 1, further comprising: A battery is coupled to the charging circuit, which charges the battery. The system includes a main system circuit coupled to the battery, the charging circuit, the first C-type universal serial bus, and the second C-type universal serial bus, receiving at least one of the input power supply and the battery voltage provided by the battery. The charging circuit detects a load current and an output voltage provided by the input power supply to the main system circuit. The control circuit controls the power transfer controller circuit to change the power transfer protocol based on the load current and the output voltage provided by the input power supply at a preset current, so as to adjust the maximum current limited by the power transfer protocol.

3. The electronic device using a Type C universal sequence bus as described in claim 2, wherein when the load current is less than a preset voltage at a preset current, the control circuit controls the power delivery controller circuit to reduce the maximum current limited by the power delivery protocol.

4. The electronic device using a Type C universal sequence bus as described in claim 1, wherein the charging circuit determines that the first Type C universal sequence bus has entered the overvoltage protection mode or the overcurrent protection mode when the voltage or current of the input power supply is equal to 0, and notifies the control circuit that the first Type C universal sequence bus has entered the overvoltage protection mode or the overcurrent protection mode.

5. The electronic device using a Type C Universal Sequence Bus port as described in claim 1, wherein the power delivery controller circuit communicates with the device connected to the second Type C Universal Sequence Bus port according to the modified power delivery protocol.

6. A charging method for an electronic device using a Type-C Universal Sequence Bus (USB), the electronic device comprising a first USB, a second USB, and a power delivery controller circuit, the power delivery controller circuit being coupled to the first USB and the second USB, the charging method comprising: Receive an input power supply from the first Type C Universal Sequence Bus port; And in response to the first C-type general sequence bus port entering an overvoltage protection mode or an overcurrent protection mode, control the power transfer controller circuit to change a power transfer protocol to reduce the maximum current limited by the power transfer protocol.

7. A charging method for an electronic device using a Type-C Universal Sequence Bus (USB) as described in claim 6, the electronic device further comprising a main system circuit coupled to the first USB and the second USB, the main system circuit receiving the input power, the charging method comprising: The power transfer controller circuit changes the power transfer protocol based on the load current supplied to the main system circuit by the input power supply at a preset current, thereby adjusting the maximum current limited by the power transfer protocol.

8. A charging method for an electronic device using a Type C Universal Sequence Bus port as described in claim 7, comprising: When the load current is at a preset current and the output voltage is less than a preset voltage, the power transfer controller circuit is controlled to reduce the maximum current limited by the power transfer protocol.

9. A charging method for an electronic device using a Type C Universal Sequence Bus port as described in claim 6, comprising: When the voltage or current of the input power supply is equal to 0, it is determined that the first C-type general sequence bus port enters the overvoltage protection mode or the overcurrent protection mode.

10. A charging method for an electronic device using a Type C Universal Sequence Bus port as described in claim 6, wherein the power delivery controller circuit communicates with the device connected to the second Type C Universal Sequence Bus port according to a modified power delivery protocol.

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