Accessory Authentication for Daisy-Chain Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
When a portable computing device is connected to multiple accessories in a daisy chain, the limited current provided by a charging source may be inadequate to enable the device's circuitry to authenticate the charging source, especially when the device's battery is dead, requiring users to disconnect and reconnect the device directly to the charging source for charging.
Innovation Solution
An accessory can be authenticated by a charging source to enable a power path without requiring authentication of the host device downstream, allowing each accessory in the daisy chain to be powered and authenticate the next accessory, ensuring adequate current is provided to the host device for charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a portable computing device is connected to multiple accessories in a daisy chain, then the device can interact with multiple accessories simultaneously, but the limited current provided by a charging source may be inadequate to enable the device's circuitry to authenticate the charging source when the device's battery is dead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary accessory (such as a docking station or hub) that acts as a mediator between the portable computing device and the charging source. This intermediary accessory contains its own authentication circuitry that can independently authenticate the charging source and establish a power path, bypassing the need for the dead battery device to perform authentication. The intermediary accessory effectively transfers the authentication function from the device to the accessory, resolving the contradiction between daisy chain connectivity and charging authentication reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the device's battery is dead, then the device cannot provide sufficient current for authentication circuitry to operate, but the device needs to authenticate the charging source to enable charging
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary accessory serves as a power and authentication bridge, receiving power from the charging source and providing it to the device's authentication circuitry. This allows the authentication process to occur even when the device battery is dead, as the intermediary accessory supplies the necessary current through its own power management circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication through the intermediary accessory before the device battery needs to be charged. The intermediary accessory authenticates the charging source first, establishes the power path, and then enables charging to flow to the device, ensuring authentication occurs when sufficient current is available.
3Reliability
If users manually disconnect and reconnect the device directly to the charging source to enable charging, then charging can be initiated, but the ease of operation is reduced and user convenience is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service charging by allowing the intermediary accessory to automatically manage the authentication and power path establishment process. When the device is connected through the intermediary accessory, the system automatically handles authentication and charging initiation without requiring user intervention to disconnect and reconnect cables, making the charging process convenient and automatic.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for charging a host device from a charging source through an accessory are described. Upon detecting an input power signal from the charging source, an accessory may send an identification request to the host device and authenticate the host device based on the identification information received from the host device. Upon authenticating the host device, the accessory may enable a power path between the charging source and the host device to supply a charging current to charge the host device.