Accessory Dock Hierarchical Connection Resistance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable terminals have limited space for components, restricting the types of external accessories that can be connected, limiting users to specific functions and requiring frequent accessory changes, which is inconvenient, especially when using docks that only support charging.
Innovation Solution
An accessory apparatus and system that supports hierarchical connections using a terminal connection interface, multiple connection interfaces, and an apparatus controller to identify resistance values of connected accessories, allowing multiple accessories to be connected and operated through a single interface, such as Micro-USB, enabling the terminal to recognize and support various functions without physical changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a terminal provides a particular interface for external accessory access, then the terminal can support specific functions through connected accessories, but the terminal is limited to only one type of accessory being directly accessed at a time due to spatial and hardware constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a hierarchical connection structure where a first accessory apparatus (dock) is nested between the terminal and second accessory apparatuses. The dock contains multiple connection interfaces that can simultaneously connect to different accessories, creating a nested topology where accessories are connected through the dock rather than directly to the terminal. This resolves the contradiction by enabling multiple accessory types to be supported simultaneously while keeping the terminal's physical interface structure simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The first accessory apparatus (dock) serves as an intermediary device between the terminal and multiple second accessory apparatuses. The dock receives power and control signals from the terminal and distributes them to connected accessories. It also acts as a mediator for identifying accessory types through resistance value detection and for routing data and power signals appropriately. This intermediary structure enables the terminal to support multiple accessory types without requiring multiple physical interfaces.
2Productivity
If the terminal connects to a dock having a particular function (e.g., charger dock), then the terminal can perform that specific function, but other functions cannot be used simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The hierarchical connection structure allows the dock to be nested with multiple different accessory apparatuses. When the terminal connects to the dock, the dock can present different resistance values to indicate different accessory types are connected. This enables the terminal to access multiple functions simultaneously through a single physical connection, resolving the contradiction between function execution and function variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses resistance value changes as a parameter to dynamically indicate different accessory types connected to the dock. The dock contains switches that connect different resistance values to the terminal based on which accessories are physically connected. This parameter change mechanism allows the terminal to identify and support multiple different functions through a single interface, resolving the contradiction between executing a particular function and supporting function variety.
3Ease of operation
If the terminal limits external accessory access to one type at a time, then the interface structure remains simple, but users experience inconvenience when needing to alternate between different accessory functions
Solution Approach 1:
The dock pre-configures multiple connection interfaces and resistance value indicators for different accessory types before the user needs to use them. When accessories are connected to the dock, the dock automatically detects their presence and configures the appropriate resistance values and connection paths. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for users to manually switch accessories or wait for reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for supporting a hierarchical connection of an accessory apparatus to a terminal and other accessory apparatuses are provided. The accessory apparatus includes a terminal connection interface connecting to a terminal, at least one connection interface connecting at least one other accessory apparatus, and an apparatus controller setting and controlling the terminal to identify a resistance value corresponding to a particular accessory apparatus according to whether the at least one other accessory apparatus is connected.