Charging Interface Signal Line Reconfiguration for Protocol Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices face poor compatibility with different fast charging protocols due to the lack of uniform charging standards, leading to inefficiencies in charging processes.

Innovation Solution

A charging method and apparatus that configures signal lines of a charging interface to operate in UART serial port mode, allowing for simultaneous compatibility with multiple fast charging protocols by integrating handshake sequences, enabling seamless charging regardless of the charger's protocol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fast charging protocols are supported simultaneously, then compatibility with different chargers is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different fast charging protocolsVSAvoidcomplexity of supporting multiple protocols
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging interface is designed to support multiple fast charging protocols (first protocol and second protocol) through a single unified interface. The signal lines can be configured in different modes (first signal line as transmit or receive, second signal line accordingly) to accommodate different protocols, making the device universally compatible without requiring separate interfaces for each protocol

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The signal line configurations are dynamically adjustable based on the detected protocol type. The device can switch between different configuration modes (first configuration for first protocol, second configuration for second protocol) during the charging process, allowing flexible adaptation to different charging standards without fixed hardware limitations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If signal lines are reconfigured for different protocols, then protocol compatibility is improved, but detection and configuration difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoiddifficulty of detecting protocol and configuring signal lines
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs protocol detection and signal line configuration before actual charging begins. By detecting whether the charger supports the first or second fast charging protocol in advance and pre-configuring the signal lines accordingly, the system avoids complex real-time switching during charging and simplifies the overall detection and configuration process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4668534A1Charging method and apparatus, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP4668534A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4668534A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4668534A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application discloses a charging method and apparatus, and an electronic device, and belongs to the field of communication technologies. The charging method includes: in a process of detecting, based on a target voltage level sequence, whether a charger supports a first fast charging protocol, when a first signal line of a charging interface of the electronic device is at a high level, configuring the first signal line as a receive signal line in a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter UART serial port mode, and configuring a second signal line of the charging interface as a transmit signal line in the UART serial port mode; performing, when a first data packet supporting a second fast charging protocol is received from the charger within a first duration, charging according to the second fast charging protocol; and performing charging according to the first fast charging protocol when the first data packet is not received within the first duration.