Accessory Power Management IC Using Charging-Line Operation Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for charging and communication between a case and an accessory, such as wireless earphones, require complex circuitry to separate enable signals from communication signals, leading to circuit complexity.
Innovation Solution
A communication system with a requested-operation determination circuit that uses a charging line and a GND line to transmit and receive charging signals, where the GND line is set to a reference voltage, allowing the circuit to determine operations based on voltage levels and duration times, eliminating the need for a separation circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separation circuit is used to separate enable signal from communication signal, then signal separation is achieved, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the enable signal and communication signal into a single transmission line. The enable signal is superimposed on the communication signal, allowing both signals to be transmitted together over the same physical medium, thereby eliminating the need for separate circuits and reducing overall circuit complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The communication signal line is given multiple functions: it serves as both the communication signal transmission path and the enable signal transmission path. By making the communication line universal, the patent eliminates the need for a dedicated separate enable signal line, thus reducing circuit complexity
2Reliability
If a separation circuit is used to separate enable signal from communication signal, then signal separation is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the enable signal and communication signal into a single transmission line. The enable signal is superimposed on the communication signal, allowing both signals to be transmitted together over the same physical medium, thereby eliminating the need for separate circuits and reducing overall circuit complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the enable signal from the communication signal at the receiving end using a separation circuit. By placing the separation function only at the receiver side and not requiring continuous active separation throughout the system, power consumption is reduced while still achieving the necessary signal separation for proper operation
Data Source
AI summary
Communication systems including a case and an accessory are disclosed. In one example, the case supplies electric power. The accessory is connectable to the case with a charging line and a GND line. The charging line transmits and receives a charging signal. The GND line is set to a reference voltage. The accessory includes a requested-operation determination circuit that, based on a voltage level of the charging signal and on a duration time of the voltage level, determines one operation requested of the accessory. In another example, a power management IC is included in the accessory and connected to the case with a charging line and a GND line. The power management IC includes a requested-operation determination circuit that, based on a voltage level of the charging signal and on a duration time of the voltage level, determines one operation requested of the accessory.